BT power cut blacks out X Factor

One of the biggest UK TV audiences in recent history was left frustrated on Saturday night when an apparent power failure at BT Tower delayed the live broadcast by over 15 minutes.

As viewers waited for news on who would replace Frankie Cocozza – removed for drug use – they were greeted with apologies and a tape of highlights from the auditions.

Meanwhile (presumably furious) producers at the X Factor studio tweeted that it wasn’t their fault – they were up and running and ready to go. A tweeter in the west end of London said the BT Tower was blacked out. When the show finally came on Dermot O’Leary, presenter, said the technical fault was beyond their control.